BJP protests in Himachal Vidhan Sabha over State govt’s job claims
Shimla, Aug 20,
Tensions flared in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on day 3 of the monsoon session today as Opposition BJP members staged a protest during Question Hour, accusing Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of giving an unsatisfactory response to their queries on job creation. The protest, which escalated into a demand for a walkout, was not recorded in the official proceedings after the Speaker expunged the action from House records.
The issue came to light during the discussion on supplementary questions related to employment generation. BJP legislator Vipin Singh Parmar alleged that the state government had promised to provide one lakh jobs annually, amounting to 2.5 lakh jobs in the last two and a half years. Supporting the charge, senior BJP leader Satpal Singh Satti pointed out discrepancies in the Chief Minister’s public statements—highlighting that while the CM had claimed 35,000 jobs were created in 2024, his Independence Day address cited only 23,191 jobs.
Responding to the opposition’s concerns, Chief Minister Sukhu stated that approximately 23,000 regular appointments had been made so far. He elaborated that nearly 7,000 jobs were created in the education sector, including 3,000 TGTs, 1500 JBTs, and around 750 vocational teachers. He further informed the House that 5,000 posts were filled in the IPH Department, mostly for para-fitters and electricians, and 2,061 ‘Van Mitras’ were appointed in the Forest Department.
The CM added that 484 college lecturers, 318 drawing teachers, 200 medical officers, 1,100 staff nurses, and 150 nurses at IGMC were also recruited. He mentioned that results for 13,000 police appointments were pending and assured that next month, the government would begin the process of filling 62,000 Aaya posts and recruiting 6,000 nursery-trained teachers (NTTs). He also highlighted that the Himachal Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation had secured a license for facilitating overseas employment opportunities for youth.
BJP MLA Vikram Thakur, raising another supplementary question, insisted that the government provide updated and fact-based replies in the House. He criticized the CM’s response, claiming it lacked clarity and accountability.
In defence, CM Sukhu reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering on its promise of providing 5 lakh jobs during its five-year tenure, as stated in the Congress election manifesto.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and other BJP legislators, however, accused the government of misleading the House and attempted to stage a walkout. The Speaker intervened and disallowed the protest, later expunging it from the official proceedings.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
